When Skyline Track runner Martin Gehrke (28’) crossed the finish line at the 11/1/25 Division 1 State Championship race, the clock read 16:04, a time that broke a barrier he’d been chasing of his own record: 16:14 5k.
Gehrke credits his success to a mix of long-term dedication and strong coaching. “My coaches… encourage the team to eat healthy and get enough sleep,” said Gehrke. “One of them is a physical therapist, and she really helps with strength training and injury prevention.”
His journey has been years in the making. “I’ve been running cross country since sixth grade. Last year was when my performance really stepped up, but all that training over the years added up. We start practice a month into the summer, and I usually start running even before that.”
During the race, Gehrke said he knew he was on pace for something special. “At the mile mark, I saw the clock was under five minutes. That’s when I realized I could actually break a PR.”
When fatigue hit, Gehrke remembered a piece of advice from one of his coaches: “When you’re struggling, look at the clouds and say, ‘Wow, those are some nice clouds.’” The simple reminder helped him stay relaxed and focused. “I also thought about how every place I moved up would help my team.”
For Gehrke, the achievement was more than just a personal milestone, it was a reflection of the support around him. “My mom is one of my coaches, and she encourages me a lot,” he said. “Our coaches are amazing, and my teammates are super supportive, even when their races don’t go the way they hoped.”
